A Prototype laser forming system

A non-contact laser forming (LF) demonstrator system was developed to demonstrate the process on a large primitive shape. The research that led to this development is described in this article. A fundamental study was carried out which examined the effects of laser-forming parameters on tokens of an aluminium and a titanium alloy. Energy, geometrical and metallurgical influences were investigated and are summarised here. Results of the study showed that LF of these aerospace materials is possible using a large operating envelope of laser-processing parameters. A range of metallurgical effects resulted on the titanium alloy and these are traced here. Depending on how the energy input was supplied to the plate surface, various geometrical effects resulted. These effects are discussed. Using the knowledge gathered from the fundamental study, a prototype LF system was built. The components of the system and the forming of a primitive shape on it are discussed. Conclusions from the study indicate that the future work lies in the development of the demonstrator for primitive 3D shapes and the integration of a knowledge-based system.